Mining machine



M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed June l5. 1921 April 14, 1925.

Fatented Apr. 14, 1925.

narran ermee tang-na PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF GLAREMONT, NE?! HAMPSHIRE, .[-iSSIG'NOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CGREORATIGN 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE.

Application led June 13, 1921.

To all 107mm t may concern:

Be it known that I, lle/foams l. Hennes, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and vState of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Min- Machines,v of which the following is a full, clear,l and exact specification.

My invention relates to mining 1n ehi es.

It has for its object to provide an improved feeding mechanism for a mining machine. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved feeding mechanism utilizing a flexible feeding member and esueciall ada )ted to use in con# ne-ction with a feeding member formed of cable, this mechanism being improved in such a manner that even when a cable is used as the feeding member, certain advair tages of the well known chain feed may be obtained. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

ln the accompanying` drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one einbediment which my invention may assume in practice.

In Vthese drai yinga- Fig. l is a plan view of a equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the take-up mechanism being shown in a plu rality of positions.

VFig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine making its sumping and transf verse cuts at the face.

In this illustrative construction,` I have shown a machineA of a Vusual room and pillar type inelinjling a frame l slidable over the mine bottom and having a forwardly projecting cutter bar 2 thereon earryi b' a cutter chain 3, the cutter chain being driven in a usual manner from a motor Il on the frame through mechanism not shown.

ln my improved construction, flexible feeding means in the form of preferably a Vcontinuous length of flexible member, herein cable 6, is utilized, the cable being extended forward around an idler sheave .f' herein disposed in a horizontal plane and located at the front end of the frame. and being extended rearward around machine Serial No. 477,043.

cooperating idler sheaves 8 and 9, herein disposed in a single plane slightly inclined to the horizontal and located at the rear end of the frame. fis shown, the motor el is connected through suitable reversible gearing l0 to a transversel)y disposed shaft l1 herein located substantially midwaj,v hetween the ends of the frame and extending laterally beyond one side of the frame. This shaft, in turn, carries on its end a feed operating member, herein a drinn 1Q, grooved, as at 13, to receive a plurality of strands of cable. Operatively associated with this drain 12, is also an idler drum la similarly grooved at l5 and located in rear, and herein slightly above, the drum l2, the drum la being freely rotatable on a sind 1G likewise entending laterally 'from the saine side of the frame, and both the drumsl lf2 and let being removably attached to their shafts and studs, respectively, by meansl of washer and screw connections 1T. is illus trated, itV will be observed that the cable G extends from the idler 7 rearward of and along the side of the frame and is brought in under a cooperating idler la herein disposed beneath the drums and substantially midway between the same. From this idler IS the cable is then preferably brought upvv'ard and around the innermost groove on the drum lll, and then passed over the innermost groove on the drum l2. the same thereafter passing back and forth under the drums l2 and ll and over the same as shown until all the grooves are filled, when the cable leaves the outer groove of 'the drum l2, herein from the bottoni of the drum, and is directed rearward of the fraaie to the idler S and passed iherearound and by the idler rearward relative to the moving machine. Cooperating with the cable, as shown herein, is also a takenp, herein in the form olE an adjust able idler i9. This idler is herein carried on a suit- `Jole sliding and preferably weighted block 2O movable freely in a slot 2l which is in turn formed in the side of the frame l between the drums lr''and l-l: and .flisposml ai' right angles to the plane passing through the axes of the dii'ums. )is shown. this idler ll) is disposed above the last or outermost srand which i over the drums la? and 14, and'is adapted to take up the slack in that strand when desired and to be adjusted into any'desired position by means of `handle, herein in the form ot' a Winged nut 22 carried on the-block and adapted to engage with the traine and to hold the idler in any desired position, the construction bethe oppositely extending ends ot'the cable fixed to suitable jacks 23, 34.

ln the operation ot the construction shown, it will be evident that, `as shown in Fig. 3, theinachine may be suniped into the tace by passing` the rear end of the cable around the idlers 8 and 9, and connecting the same to a jack Q3 disposed at the right hand rib, the ymachine ino'.iing` relative to the cable, Vand along the same into the` coal when the poweridrum is rotated. lt will also be observed that after the machine has thus been sumped intothe coal, by simply changing the connection ot the jack at the ri `ajht hand rib so that it occupies the dotted )osition at the rear o' the machine shown in Eig. 8, and connecting the front or forward end ot the cable to a jack 9.4@ at the lett hand rib and closely adjacent the 'tace ot thecoal, it is possible torthe machine to move transversely along the fr e in a well known inauner. During` these operations it will also be particularly observed that whenever it is desired to angle the machine, this may be accomplished by varying the position of the adjustable take-up oridler 19, the same being adjustable in its slot to talle up any slack, and adapted to be held in a definite position in itsslot bythe winged nut 22 'when such a relation oil the parts is desired.A

ln the use ot inyimgroved construction, it will be observed that it is possible to de- Yvelo) a decided lfriction on a cable through the use of the drums andthe multiple convolutions of cable thereon, `and thereby develop the pull required, a cable in my improved construction being adapted to' exert va pull `of sixvthousand or more pounds, as needed. lt will also beobserved that in my improved constructionY the necessity tor a Ytake-up distinct 'from the machine is entirely eliminated, Vthe reversible drum drive servingl to insert slack whenV desired, while the Vtaire-up mechanism is adapted to act upon `any slack which may be inserted for any reason in the cable in such a mamier as to enable the position. or movement ot the machine to be controlled as desired. At the same time itwill be observed that the mech- Y standard machines, These and other advantages of my improved vcon.struction will,

llilhile l have in this application specii'hV cally described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practie., it will be understood that this torni. shown Yfor illustrative purposes, and thatA the invention may be modiiied and embodied in various other forms Without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

illhatl claim as new and desire to secure bv Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a mining ina# chine having a trame' slidable on its bottom over a mine bottom duringcutting, ot ilexible machine feeding and guiding mechanism therefor including a continuons ilexible :feeding member extending in opposite directions from points at the opposite endsl ot' said machine, and a plurality ot' winding` drums between sain points rotatable on parallel axes and around which the intermediate portion of said member Vis wound in loops each ot which passes around all ot said drums,

2. The combination with a. mining machine including` a iframe slidable on its bottom on a mine bottom during cutting, et flexible feeding` and machine guiding means adapted to position said machine during cutting includingl a single flexible lieed cable extending' in opposite directions from `points at the opposite ends oil sain machine, and feed operating means therefor including;` a plurality ot drums disposed. ou vparallel transverse laxes and. located between said chine slidable on a mine bottom, a single flexible Atee'd cable extending in -ipposite'directions iron pointsatv the opposite ends ot said machine, and feed operating?r means theretoi' including` a i-eed operating drinn and an idler drinn 'disposedv on tired parallel. ares onY the advancii'igside o'l said inachine. l Y

o. rie coinlniiation witlia mining;l inachineV slidable on a mine bottom, oit 'a continuous flexible feedingv member extending` in opposite directions trom pointsl at the opposite ends thereof, and feed operating means disposed between. said points including` a plurality of drums,locatedon fired transvese axes on the advancing side ol2 the machine around` a portion ot each of which said member is successively wound.

6. The combination with a mininfr machine slidable on a mine bottom, of a fljexible feeding member extending in opposite directions from points at the opposite ends of' said machine, feed operating means therefor including a plurality of drums between said points both of which lie wit-hin at least one single loop of said flexible feeding member, and a takeeup .acting on said member at a point between said drinne.

7. Thecombination with a mining machine Slidable on a mine bottom, of Va` flexible feeding member extending' in opposite directions from points at the opposite ends of said machine, feed operating means therefor including a plurality of,I drums between said points and on the same eide ot said machine, and a` take-up between said drums actine on Said member at a point between said drinne.

S. The combination Vwith a mining' machine, of a flexible feeding member extendi ing in opposite directions from pointe at the opposite ends of said machine, `a pluralitjii of winding drums located between said points and upon which Said member. is wound in such manner that a pliualitjiY of loops are formed in each of which. both drums lie, and av take-up member engageable with said flexible member.

ShThe combination with a n'iining' inachine slidable on a mine bottom, ot a flexible feeding member extending in opposite directions from points at the opposite endsl ot said machine, a plurality of winding' drinne located between said points and upon which Said member is wound in such manner that ioth drums are included in, at least one common loop, and a take-up member engageable with said flexible member at a point between said drums.

lf). The combination with a mining machine slidable on its bottom on a mine hotton during` cutting, of a flexible machine feeding and guiding,y member extending` in opposite directions from points at oppoeite ends of said machine, a plurality oit wind 'ing drums locatedV between said points and feeding member extending,i in opposite directions from points at the opposite` ends of said. machine, feed operating' means therefor including a plurality of drinne7 around which the intermediate portion of .said member is wound, both drums being` included in a singlecomplete wrap of said flexible feeding member, and a take-up acting` on a single strand of said member at a point between said drums.

12. The coinliiination with a mining; machine slidable on a mine bottoni, of a single flexible feed cable extending .in opposite directions from pointe at the opposite ends of said machine, feed operatincY means tlierefor including a pl uralitj.' of drinne disposed on parallel axes between Said i'iointe. and a take-up mechanism operative upon Said cable as it passes between said drums.

13. The combination with a mining" nra chine slid-able on a mine bottoni, of a single flexible leed cable eidendiirein opposite diiections from points at the opposite endev of Said machine, feed operating means` engaging therewith includingT a pln'alitjiY of drums disposed on parallel axes between Said points, and taleup mechanism acting' upon the last Strand of cable passing between said drums.

llt. rlbc combination with a miniircT niachine slidable on a mine bottom, of a single flexible feed cable extending; in opposite directions :troni pointe at the opposite ends of said machine, feed operating means therefor incliu'linnj a plurality of drums dieposed on parallel axes between said points, take-np mechanism actingi upon said cable, at a point between said drinne, and means for adiuetingr said take-up.

The combination with a niininfr inachine Stlidable on a mine bottom, of a single` vflexible feed cable exi'eiidiirel in opposite directions 'from iiointe at the opposite ends ot said machine, feed operating moana theretor including a plurality of drinne disposed on parallel axes between .Caid points, and a weightciil talie-up mechanism opcratii'e upon Said cable as it passes between said drums.

lf3. The combination with a mining?T niaeliine slidable on a mine bottom, of a Single `lexible .feed cable extending in opposite direetione vfrom points at the opposite ends of said machine, 'feed operatiiur means: therefor inchuling;` a plurality of drinne disposed on parallel aires between said points. taire-up mechanism actingY upon said cable ae it passesbetween saiddrums, and means-1 toi' holding` the saine in one of a plurality of positions on said frame.

17. rl`he combination with a mining niachine elidable on a mine bottoni, ot' a flexible feedingmember extendingr in opposite directions from points at the opposite ende thereof, and feed operating means including a pluralitji7 ot drums between said pointe pon which said member is wound in euch manner that a pluralityv of loops are formed in each of which both drums lie, said ineinber harina' its free ends passing; off from beneath different drums.

18. The combination with a mining; niachine slidable on a mine bottoni, of a flexible feeding member extendingl in opposite directions from pointe at the oppoeite ends thereof, feed operating means ilu-inclini.; a

Y upon which said member is wound in such manner that a plurality of loops are formed 'in each of which both drums lie, and power means for rotating one of saidA drums.

19. The combination with a mining machine slidable `on amine bottom, of'a flexible feeding member extending in opposite directions from points at the oppositeA ends thereof, feed operatingn'ieans including a plurality of drums between said points upon y which said member is wound in such manner that aV plurality of loops are'formed 1n each of which both drums lie. and power means for rotating one of said .drums in opposite directions.

20. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottoni, of a fiexible feeding member extendingI in opposite directions from points at the opposite. ends thereof, feed 'operating means including aplurality of drums between said points upon.

which said member is wound in such inannerthat a plurality of loops are formedin each of which both drums lie, and power means forrotating one of said drums at different speeds.

2l. The combination with aI mining inachine siidable on a mine bottom, of a flexible feeding member extending in opposite directions from points at the opposite ends thereof, feed Yoperating means including a plurality of drums between said points upon which said member is wound in such inanner that a plurality of loops are formed in each jof which both drumslie, and power means for rotating one of said drums in opposite directions at dierent speeds.

V22. rThe combination with a mining niachine slidable on a mine bottom, of a continuous cable extending in opposite directions froin opposite ends thereof, andv feed operating means operativeto draw in either end thereof comprising a plurality of drums rotatable on parallel axes extending horizontally from said machine in the saine direction, said drums having the intermediate portion of said cable wound around both drums. Y

' rllie combination with a .mining machine slidable on a mine bottoni, of a continuous cable extending in opposite directions from opposite ends thereof, andv feed operating means operative to draw in either end thereof comprising aplnrality of adj a-v cent drums rotatable onparallel axesand having the intermediate portion of. said cablewound aroundboth drums and tie` free ends of said cable passing off from the under side Vof different drums.

24E. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom, ofl a continuous cable disposable in advance and recedingportions from opposite ends thereof, feed voperating means operative to draw in of drums rotatable on parallel axes and having the intermediate portion of said cable wound around both drums, and a talreup operable on the last strand of said cable passing between said drums and leading to said receding portion.

26. The combination with amining inachine slidable on a mine bottom, of flexible lateral feeding means including flexible feeding portions disposable in opposite directions from opposite ends of said machine and feedoperating and taleup mechanism disposed on the advancing side of said machine operative to produce lateral feeding and to vary the length of either portion atA will and including a plurality of drums.

.27. The combination with a mining ma chineY slidable on a mine bottom, of flexible lateral feeding means including flexible feeding portions disposable in opposite directions from opposite ends of said machine and feed operating and take-up mechanism disposed on the advancing side of said inan chine operative to produce lateral feeding and to vary the length of either portion at will including a plurality of drums rotatable on transversely disposed axes.

28. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom, of iiexible lateral feeding means including a continuous fiexible feeding member having flexible feeding portions disposable in opposite directions from opposite ends of said machine lUO and feed operating and take-up mechanism disposed on the advancing side of said machine operative to produce lateral feeding and to vary the length of either portion at will including a plurality of drums rotatable on transversely disposed parallel axes.

29. The combination with a mining machine slidable onfa mine bottom, of a centinuous cable disposable in advance and re.- ceding` portions from opposite ends thereof, feed operating means operative to draw in either end thereof comprising a plurality of drums rotatable on parallel axes and hav ing the intermediate portion ,of said cable wound around both drums in such manner that both drums are engaged by each co1nplete wrap of cable, and a take-up operable on one of the strands of saidY cable passing' between said drums.

measles 5 Chine slideble duringoutting on its bottom pl'ising a plurality of drums rotatable on on a mine bottom, of flexible feeding and pzifnllel axes and having' the :intermediate machine guiding meansincluding a continu.- portion of' the cable vfolmd oil both drinne, 10 ous Cable disposed duringY Cutting aeoss e and u take-up uieiiiliei' adjustable to out the face in advance and receding poi-tions from plane inifzluding the axes of said drums. opposite ends thereof, feed operating means In testimony whereof l zillix my signature. operative to draw in. either end thereof coni- MURRIS P. HOLMES.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,533,316, granted April 14, 1925, upon the application of Morris P. Holmes, of Claremont, New Hampshire, for an improvement in Mining Machines, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 100, claim 2, before the word drums insert the Word adjacent, and line 108, claim 3, strike out the Word adjacent and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Paten-t Uffice.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of June, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] KARL FENN ING,

, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

